Joshua Jackson just gave us a lesson in timeless menswear
The actor reminds us why some things, like cult 90s stars, will always be cool
CREEK STYLE: Spotted alongside fellow Dawson’s Creek alum Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson proved that certain things, like late-’90s heartthrobs, age damn well. An olive green field jacket, that 1990s staple for the disenfranchised borrowed from the rebels of the ‘70s, will never NOT look cool. Put it up there next to the bomber and denim.
It’s testament to the eternal appeal of practicality. Whether that comes in the form of gorpcore, normcore, or the latest edition, anglercore’ inspired by the angler’s pocket-heavy vests holding his flies, spare hooks or tippets.
You could argue it all comes down to the pockets. And if you feel like you’re overestimating this simple necessity, just search it has pockets on TikTok.
But before buzzwords and moodboards, before anglercore became a trend, before gorpcore was an aesthetic and long before normcore forgot to iron its trousers, there was the simple genius of a garment that could carry everything you needed. And nothing you didn’t. Four bellows on an M65. A dozen hidden across a fly vest. Form followed function, and function didn’t need a stylist.
There’s a reason these clothes keep coming back. The field jacket, born in the chaos of war, remains undefeated in the modern wardrobe not because of nostalgia, but because it still does the job better than most things designed after it. Likewise, cargo pants, with their shameless practicality, have outlived every trend cycle they were dragged into. Anglercore, the latest wave, is just the same impulse wearing a bucket hat: a quiet reverence for garments that were built to work.
You can wrap it in irony or wrap it around a Margiela shirt. Either way, a pocket’s still a pocket. And maybe that’s why this all endures. The fantasy of utility is seductive, but the real thing, when worn without pretence, is quietly unbeatable. You don’t need to fish to appreciate a water-repellent vest with ten compartments. You don’t need to camp to wear Gore-Tex. You just need to get through your day without everything falling apart.
Fashion, for all its spectacle, occasionally stumbles into truth. And the truth is: clothes that serve a purpose always outlast clothes that serve a moment. In a world full of garments that perform identity, utility still whispers something radical: “You don’t need to try so hard.”
Wear what works. Let the pockets speak.
Go fish with these utilitarian staples
Canada Goose Harrison Jacket
Inspired by the actual M65 jacket, Canada Goose takes the practicality of the original jacket and brings in the added luxury of premium material and construction. Opting for black instead of traditional green gives the piece an additional elevated aesthetic.
P. Johnson Ripstop angler’s vest
Patrick Johnson applies his signature touch to the anglercore movement. Lightweight and water-repellent, there’s enough hardware and pockets to keep you fully stocked for any potential situation.
Lemaire Technical Gilet
Lemaire remains one of the most articulated menswear labels on the market today. A perfect balance of minimalist precision and the laid back ease of French style.
Ralph Lauren RRL cargo trousers
Ralph Lauren’s herringbone cargo trousers from their workwear-inspired RRL line sums up why utility remains menswear’s greatest style bar: nothing looks overdone yet everything is done just right. A pair of pants to live in.
Prada Re-Nylon vest
An indulgence? Perhaps. An investment? Definitely. Prada is the master of reimagining the aesthetics of workwear and utility in their endlessly recursive collections.
Celine Homme cargo trousers
Celine’s signature sveltness gets loosened up in these straight-leg cargos. A great switch to the staid chino when you need a smart casual piece that doesn’t look tired.
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